- 2006
- - The Departed
  - Actor in a Supporting Role
  - British Academy of Film & Television Arts
- - The Departed
  - Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture
  - Screen Actors Guild Awards
- - The Departed
  - Best Performance By an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture
  - Golden Globe
- 2003
- - Something's Gotta Give
  - Best Performance By an Actor in a Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical
  - Golden Globe
- 2002
- - About Schmidt
  - Best Performance By an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama
  - Golden Globe
- - About Schmidt
  - Actor in a Leading Role
  - British Academy of Film & Television Arts
- - About Schmidt
  - Best Actor
  - Academy Award
- - About Schmidt
  - Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role
  - Screen Actors Guild Awards
- 1997
- - As Good as It Gets
  - Best Actor
  - Academy Award
- - As Good as It Gets
  - Best Performance By an Actor in a Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical
  - Golden Globe
- - As Good as It Gets
  - Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role
  - Screen Actors Guild Awards
- 1992
- - Hoffa
  - Best Performance By an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama
  - Golden Globe
- - A Few Good Men
  - Best Performance By an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture
  - Golden Globe
- - A Few Good Men
  - Best Supporting Actor
  - Academy Award
- 1989
- - Batman
  - Actor in a Supporting Role
  - British Academy of Film & Television Arts
- - Batman
  - Best Performance By an Actor in a Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical
  - Golden Globe
- 1987
- - Ironweed
  - Best Performance By an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama
  - Golden Globe
- - Ironweed
  - Best Actor
  - Academy Award
- 1985
- - Prizzi's Honor
  - Best Performance By an Actor in a Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical
  - Golden Globe
- - Prizzi's Honor
  - Best Actor
  - Academy Award
- 1983
- - Terms of Endearment
  - Best Performance By an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture
  - Golden Globe
- - Terms of Endearment
  - Best Supporting Actor
  - Academy Award
- 1982
- - Reds
  - Supporting Actor
  - British Academy of Film & Television Arts
- 1981
- - Reds
  - Best Performance By an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture
  - Golden Globe
- - Reds
  - Best Supporting Actor
  - Academy Award
- 1976
- - One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
  - Actor
  - British Academy of Film & Television Arts
- 1975
- - One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
  - Best Actor
  - Academy Award
- - One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
  - Best Performance By an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama
  - Golden Globe
- 1974
- - The Last Detail
  - Actor
  - British Academy of Film & Television Arts
- - Chinatown
  - Best Actor
  - Academy Award
- - Chinatown
  - Actor
  - British Academy of Film & Television Arts
- - Chinatown
  - Best Performance By an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama
  - Golden Globe
- 1973
- - The Last Detail
  - Best Actor
  - Academy Award
- - The Last Detail
  - Best Performance By an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama
  - Golden Globe
- 1971
- - Carnal Knowledge
  - Best Performance By an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama
  - Golden Globe
- 1970
- - Five Easy Pieces
  - Best Performance By an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama
  - Golden Globe
- - Five Easy Pieces
  - Best Actor
  - Academy Award
- 1969
- - Easy Rider
  - Best Supporting Actor
  - Academy Award
- - Easy Rider
  - Best Performance By an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture
  - Golden Globe
- - Easy Rider
  - Supporting Actor
  - British Academy of Film & Television Arts